Last Updated on March 2, 2024
Nikki Sixx (born Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr.), is an American singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist.
Sixx is best known as one of the founders of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. He has served as the band’s bassist and primary songwriter throughout its decades-long history.
Nikki Sixx has also pursued several ventures outside music. These include fashion design, photography, radio producing & presenting, and writing.
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr. |
Popular Name: | Nikki Sixx |
Gender: | Male |
Birth Date: | December 11, 1958 |
Age: |
64 years |
Parents: | Frank Feranna and Deana Richards |
Siblings: | Rodney Anthony Feranna and Lisa Marie Feranna |
Birth Place: | San Jose, California, United States |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | Italian |
Education: | 7 different schools, including Roosevelt High School |
Marital Status: | Married to Courtney Bingham (since March 2014); was previously married to Playboy Playmate Brandi Brandt (from 1989 until their divorce in 1996) and Playboy Playmate and actress Donna D’Errico (from 1996 until their divorce in 2007) |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | Courtney Bingham |
Children: | 3 with his first wife Brandt (Gunner Sixx, Storm Sixx, and Decker Sixx), 1 with his second wife D’Errico (Frankie-Jean Sixx), and 1 with his current wife Bingham (Ruby Sixx) |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | USD 45 million |
Source of Wealth: | Singing, Songwriting, Music Composing, Fashion Design, Photography, Radio Producing, Radio Presenting, Writing, and Other Ventures |
Height: | 6′ 1″ (1.85 m) |
Weight: | 85 kg; In pounds: 187 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Nikki Sixx was born Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr. on December 11, 1958, in San Jose, California, United States, to Frank Feranna and Deana Richards.
Sixx’s father was largely absent in his life. He was jointly raised by his mother and grandparents, which saw him move a lot. He attended seven different schools in eleven years, including Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Washington.
Career Information
Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr. took an interest in music at a tender age. He grew up listening to songs by numerous artists and bands, such as Deep Purple, The Beatles, Harry Nilsson, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, etc.
At the age of 17, Feranna Jr. left home and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career. He accepted menial jobs, including working as a vacuum cleaner salesman and at a liquor store, while auditioning for several bands.
Frank Feranna’s first band was Sister. However, he was fired from the group alongside his bandmate Lizzie Grey shortly after recording a demo.
Feranna then teamed up with Grey to form the London band. It’s during this period that he dropped his birth name and legally adopted the name Nikki Sixx.
In 1981, Nikki Sixx teamed up with drummer Tommy Lee to found Mötley Crüe. Guitarist Mick Mars and vocalist Vince Neil later joined the band.
Mötley Crüe released its debut album, ‘Too Fast for Love,’ in November 1981 through its Leathür Records. They later signed to Elektra Records and re-released the same album. The band went on to release four more studio albums during the ‘80s. These are Shout at the Devil (1983), Theatre of Pain (1985), Girls, Girls, Girls (1987), and Dr. Feelgood (1989).
Dr. Feelgood became Mötley Crüe’s most successful project of all time. The album dominated the charts for a record 114 weeks.
In 1994, Mötley Crüe released their sixth eponymous studio album. They then followed up with ‘Generation Swine’ in 1997 and ‘New Tattoo’ in 2000. The band’s most recent album, ‘Saints of Los Angeles,’ was released in 2008.
Other Ventures
Nikki Sixx has been involved in other activities besides his primary role as Mötley Crüe bassist and songwriter.
In 2006, Sixx ventured into the fashion industry by launching a clothing line called ‘Royal Underground.’ The project was a partnership with musician Kelly Gray.
In 2010, Sixx and Kerri Kasem hosted the music radio shows ‘Sixx Sense’ and ‘The Side Show Countdown.’
Nikki Sixx’s Net Worth
Nikki Sixx had a net worth of $45 million as at 2023.
Sixx’s wealth is almost entirely attributable to the music industry. And nearly all his music-related earnings come from his involvement with the Mötley Crüe band.
Outside of the music industry, Nikki Sixx also earns from endeavors like fashion design and radio presenting. The Mötley Crüe bassist has also flipped some real estate properties over the years. These include a Los Angeles mansion that he purchased in 2014 for $4.125 million and sold in September 2021 for $5.18 million.
Lessons from Nikki Sixx
1. There’s no reason it cannot be you
Nikki Sixx was born to underprivileged parents. He then experienced a troubled childhood when his father and later his mother abandoned him. To think that Sixx became so successful only proves that anyone can make it irrespective of their background.
2. Never give up
Sixx auditioned for numerous bands as part of launching his music career. Many bands ignored him while some accepted him but fired him shortly after. Despite these obstacles, the future Mötley Crüe never gave up.
3. Life has a way of giving us second chances
Nikki Sixx struggled with heroin addiction during his time with Mötley Crüe. On December 23, 1987, he overdosed on the drug and was pronounced clinically dead for two minutes before getting revived by a paramedic. This was Nixx’s second chance at life and his cue to start fighting off substance abuse. He has been clean for over 20 years now.
Famous Quotes by Nikki Sixx
• Beauty, to me, is kind, generous, and people that are humble.
• Ego is the great enemy. Ego will hold you back every single time.
• I’m not religious, but by nature I am spiritual. I’m an artist, and creativity seems to go hand in hand with spirituality. But I have a knee-jerk reaction against organized religions. Actually, I have knee-jerk reactions against anything that’s organized.
• It takes all kinds to make the world go ’round.
• You can’t pee like a puppy if you wanna run with the big dogs.
Wrap Up
Nikki Sixx is one of Mötley Crüe’s most resourceful members who has played a significant role in making the band so successful. Sixx has a net worth of $45 million, as at 2023.